Identifying bed bugs is a critical step for dealing with an infestation. Proper diagnosis can be very tricky because of the following challenges:

1. Bed bugs hide exceptionally well and in many possible areas.
   View this helpful diagram of where to look for bed bugs
2. People have varying degrees of reactions to bed bug bites making bites a possibly misleading factor.
   See photos of various bed bug bite reactions from Zero-degree (no reaction) up to Fourth-degree bed bug bites
   See photos of other bug bites and skin conditions that make diagnosing bed bug bites difficult
3. What do bugs look like?
   See photos of live bed bugs in various life stages.
   See photos of bed bug evidence including fecal marks, cast skins, dead bed bugs, etc
4. Other bugs can look like bed bugs.
   See photos of other common household bugs that are often confused for bed bugs.
5. Bed Bug Identification Services
   Still not sure if what you’re looking at is a bed bug? Send your sample to a bug identification expert to have it identified.
6. K9 Bed Bug Dog Inspections
   Dogs can be trained to detect the scent of bed bugs (similar to airport security dogs who can detect the scent of narcotics). Inspections are another (albeit expensive) way to find out if there are bed bugs in your home.

Next Step:
Talk to a licensed professional about how to identify and get rid of bed bugs.